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Others paid tribute to the fallen soldier, known affectionately as "Browny" as an example to others.

Major Tim Harris, his company commander said: "Corporal Brownson was truly phenomenal. He was loved by his men, they all wanted to be just like him, their hero."

Major Harris said Cpl Brownson was "outstandingly brave".

"If there was a fight to be had he was always at the front.

"On one occasion, like the all-action hero he was, he was hit by a piece of shrapnel in his shoulder, but refused medical treatment, dealing with it in the morning once the enemy had gone."

Friends in the army remembered Browny fondly as they grieved.

Lance Corporal Johnny Cassell, said: "He was known as a bit of a 'Del Boy' in the Battalion and never failed to make me laugh with stories of his latest money-making schemes."

He leaves behind wife Leeanne, daughters Ginalee and Morgan and his unborn child, due in the summer.

Rfn Farmer, from Pontefract, West Yorkshire, was only 19 years old. But tributes recalled a man who was "mature beyond his years".

His platoon commander, Lieutenant Palmer Winstanley, said: "Rifleman Luke Farmer was not your average rifleman. He had a real depth of character. He was confident, strong and kind. He was a quiet man with a quick wit."

Lt Winstanley added: "He stepped up to the mark as our lead man, responsible for finding improvised explosive devices with a metal detector. This is an incredible undertaking for anyone, and it is certain that he saved many lives - British and Afghan - through his sheer resilience and bravery."

Seeing his son progress through the army was a great source of pride to his father Mark.

Mr Farmer said: "I was the proudest dad at his passing out parade. I felt 20 feet tall the day Luke received the award for fittest soldier within his intake.

"He could have one day gone to the Olympics as a 100m sprinter he was that fast."

He was also a good amateur rugby league player, his mother Angela said.

She added: "He will be missed by all."

Major Tim Harris, his company commander, described the young soldier as a "typical Yorkshireman: tough as granite, quietly self-assured and as brave as ten men".

The deaths of the two men take the number of British service personnel who have died since the start of operations in Afghanistan in 2001 to 249.